Periods - what age is best to explain to child

[2kidswelshmum]

What age is appropriate to explain periods/menstrual cycle to daughter?

I have a 7 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. In the swimming pool changing room bathroom today they saw the free period products on the sink and asked what they are.

I gave a non committal answer in that moment because I wanted more time to think how I respond, and also we were running a bit late for their lesson.

I figure there’s no reason why I can’t tell them - it’s part of life etc. I’m just not sure of the best way to phrase it.

And I’m leaning towards tailoring the answer per child, giving my seven year old daughter a bit more info…?

Mine were really young. I just told them that my body made a cushion of blood every month in case I wanted a baby, and when it knew I didn't want a baby, it got rid of it and made a new one.

As they got older we talked more about the details.

I never had the children in the loo when changing tampons/ sanitary towels! They just gradually learned from school etc. It wasn’t an issue and they are normal happy adults!

You say that like people always have a choice 🤣

Some of us had 2/3/4 year olds who had to come into public toilets with us.
Not all parents expect schools to teach everything and instead decide to help our children learn about lots of things ourselves

We used this book: https://amzn.eu/d/09sDi8bL

I started my periods early (9/10) so I made sure my DDs knew about it way before then!

No ‘big’ chat here just a drip feed over the years. Good luck OP a book is a nice way to start.

My daughter has always known and has seen me changing pads and tampons. Once she even told the delivery guy that I was on my period. He was very cool about it though :D she was maybe 3-4 y/o

“Not my thing” 🤣🤣🤣 did you not take your dc out on your own ever or do you have the world’s strongest bladder?

I just answered when they asked what tampons were - oh, they’re for mummy’s period…

I started my period at 9 and had no idea so was terrified. I thought I was dying. I have 3 DDs and it was just never a thing.

I use a moon cup - I don’t want them to see that, bit too much for me 😬 each to their own, I’m just more private. Happy for them to know, will answer their questions, explain everything etc, just without the memory of me tugging that thing out and emptying it following them into adulthood. They do come into the bathroom with me, I’ve just dodged that scenario.

Actually surprised by how many parents don’t discuss periods as a normal thing and instead rely on schools (like they don’t have enough to do!)

How can you avoid young children coming into the toilet with you? When I’ve been out and about on my own with them, you can’t leave them outside surely? Or maybe you can and I’m being over cautious?!

Are you really proud that you left basic parenting to school to do? Weird boast.

I’ve told my DD now 7 since she was a toddler just because she has been around it so I’ve never made it a thing. She came with me to a smear test when she was four - I had no childcare! She knows teenage and adult females bleed once a month and that’s a normal and healthy partnof being a woman.

This

great thanks so much 🙏 late starters through the females in my family (both sides) so I assume I have some time, but definitely one I need to do sooner rather than later! I just hadn’t really thought about it until they started asking questions ❤️

My dcs came into the toilet with me but have never seen any blood. I use a menstrual cup and I only empty it twice a day in the morning when they're still in bed, and at night after they've gone to bed, so there's been none to see. Can't imagine using pads and having to change them through the day.

I used an Usborne book but I didn't discuss it with dcs when they were young, I think dd was 8.

Like others. It has just always been there. When they were v tiny and saw tampons, I answered simply, with only basic facts. They always just accepted and then came back with other questions.

I did the same with sex. I go with, if you are old enough to be thinking about this, or if you have heard about this, come and ask and I will give you a proper answer.

The 3 year old has asked how are babies made (egg + sperm, baby grows) and how does a baby come out of a mummy's tummy (your vagina expands to make a path out. Or sometimes doctors need to help). I will answer more questions when asked, but I provide only the answer asked for.

The older one is on what is bisexuality, how would you know if you are gay, what is rape type questions and I roll with the same ethos.

If they ask, tell them.

I always bring my children into a public toilet with me, yes. It just has never coincided with the need to sort out mooncup etc. Probably why it’s not come up naturally for me to chat to them about it until now.

As soon as they ask. But at 7 and 5 they have never seen a pad/tampon advert before? Mine all new way before that. Always go with age appropriate but honest answer would be my advise.

My mooncup was what started the first conversation I remember having with my daughter about periods. She was only 2 or 3. She saw it sitting on the sink and asked what it was. I just said it was a mooncup. Then, after I had inserted it, she asked me where it had gone. I can't remember exactly what I said but I gave her a very basic explanation.

I'm not saying whether other people have a choice, only talking about me! 5 kids and I never took them to the bathroom with me at home.
Possibly I've had them in a public toilet cubicle but never to change a tampon.

Same. No questions are out of bounds. There has never been a ‘big chat’ - everything just gets talked about easily as and when. Amazed in 2026 some parents still don’t do this! Especially as likely most parents now were teens in the 90s/00s so they definitely weren’t prudish 🤣🤣

No not cautious! I’m the same! I still remember when I let my eldest go to toilet by himself and was outside panicking as in my head he took too long 🤣🤦🏽‍♀️. I had all sort of scenarios in my head already

Yes I probably had to take them in to a public toilet on occasion but definitely never changed a tampon in front of any of them!
I usually would have a slightly older child who could stand with the buggy outside though.
Thinking about it I probably have only done day trips with other adults?

My daughter came to my smear test when she was around that age too. She got right in next to the nurse and had a good look. The nurse was amazing and explained what she was doing. I didn't have to answer any questions that day. 😂